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,UNITED sfrn'rns raras JOHN B. HOLMES, OF NEV YORK,` N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOHN B. HOLMES AND JOHN R.

PRATT.

ANCHOR-TRIPPER.

Speccation of Letters Patent No. 17,182, dated April 28, 1857.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B.r HOLMES, of New York, in the county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Anchor-Trippers for Ships, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of t-he construction of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my improvement consists, generally speaking, in the superior mode of disengaging the chain or cable from the anchor tripper or stopper by employing the principle of a screw or thread working in a corresponding and spiral groove or part of a nut, as an expedient in combination with the catch or pin to facilitate the disengaging ofthe chain, the pin being caused to draw out of the latter at an instant and with the least exertion of power, when partly turned around its axis or bearings.

The advantages and merits of an improvement in anchor trippers, whereby I am enabled to relieve the chain instantly with the y utmost certainty and least exertion of power are evident' and-my contrivance as hereinafter described so fully accomplishes the desired objects by combining` the greatest simplicity with safety and reliance respective its operation that the utility as well as the novelty of the device for this special purpose will be fully admitted and appreciated by those experienced in working and managing ships.

It is a known fact, too, that in many instances, vessels, though provided with all modern improvements relating to safety, went ashore and were lost simply forwant of a speedy expedient to relieve the chains of her anchors, the arrangements in anchor trippers, even of the most recent construction being defective when a rapid operation is required in cases of emergency.

To exhibit still more the superiority of my improvement and to enable others skilled in the 'art to make and use the same, I will now describe its construction with reference to the annexed drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus with anchor and chain attached,

Fig. 2 gives a partial section showing the anchor chain engaged with the tripper, and Fig. 3 represents the devicewhen the chain is disengaged and the catch or pin is drawn out of the chain link.

A, A, is the iron house or framing of the machine. It is lirmly secured to the timbers or cat-head B, B.

C is an opening in A, of sutlicient size to let the links of the anchor chain pass through it. f.

D, D, is a shaft or pin, made to turn freely within the box or framing A, A. The lower extremity of the pin D is tapered and of such dimensions as to admit the link of the chain, while its upper end is provided with a coarse thread or screw, made to fit and correspond with the spiral groove or nut E, cut into the interior portion of box A, A.

F is a handle attached to shaft or pin D, for the purpose of imparting and facilitating rotary motion to the pin when placed within its box A.

G, Gr, in Fig. 2 shows part of the chain; pin D passing through the upper :and larger ring or link of the same, thus keeping and suspending the anchor II and anchor chain Gr when not in use; the attachment of the anchors and chains and the connections with the vessel and the windlasses are made in the ordinary way.

Now, having described the various parts of the device I will proceed to explain its operation. It is obvious that, while the chain and anchor is firmly secured and kept suspended when the pin D passes through the link Gr, as shown in Fig..2; it is only necessary to give the handle F one half of a revolution to the right, when the screw or spiral E upon D will cause the pin to recede, and to disengage itself freely easy and with perfect safety from the chain, thus relieving it at an instant and consequently allowing the anchor to drop at the very moment it may be desired; the device accomplishing the object not only with the utmost expediency and certainty but with the least exertion of manual labor.

I do not claim the various parts When as described, whereby I am enabled to reseparately considered, but lieve ythe chain and trip the anchor at an 10 I claim as my invention and desire to seinstant, and in the manner set forth. cure by Letters Patent- 5 The combination of the thread or screw i l JOHN B. HOLMES.

(E) Working in a spiral groove Tor nut with Witnesses: the shaft or bolt (D) When arranged in the SAM J. HUNT,

manner and vfor the purpose substantially WILLIAM H. WILSON. 

